Dollar General has switched to self-distribution of fresh and frozen products, with 300 stores in the Northeast already receiving their stock from in-house sources. The company said it expects to have 5,000 stores in its in-house distribution network by early next year.

Beverage brands are working to include on-trend ingredients such as MCT oil and plant-based protein to attract consumers who are seeking fresh options. Other trends that are gaining steam in the beverage world are keto-friendly formulations and whole ingredients.

Dollar General will self-distribute fresh produce at 5,000 of its stores by year's end, under an initiative dubbed DG Fresh, CEO Todd Vasos said. The move will cut costs, and the retailer will also be able to use the distribution centers for dry goods, he said.

With 70 new stores opening since June 2003, Save-A-Lot has the potential to double in size over the next several years, company President and CEO Bill Moran says. To keep prices low, the store self-distributes products and keeps minimal inventory. Seventy-five percent of products available at Save-A-Lot are private label.